In recent years the growing health concern surrounding PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), or “forever chemicals,” in drinking water has dominated the media. Considering the danger these contaminants pose, it’s not surprising they’ve caught the attention of so many homeowners.
What Are PFAS?
What actually are PFAS? PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals. They’re known collectively as “forever chemicals” due to their resilience and inability to break down in the environment or body.
They are in many industrial applications like firefighting foams, food packaging, and adhesives. Since the 1940s, these chemical compounds have been used in numerous consumer, commercial, and industrial products.
There are more than 12,000 types of PFAS. Today, at least 45% of the country’s tap water is estimated to contain one or more types of these chemicals.
At Carroll Water, we’ve seen an influx of customers who want to understand if PFAS are in their local water supplies. This article shares insights from our water experts who help homeowners to better understand water impurity issues.
How Are PFAS Affecting the Mid-Atlantic Region?
PFAS (including PFOA and PFOS) are found in more than 8,800 locations across the country. This information comes from the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy group.
Unfortunately, PFAS are making their way into local water supplies. Learning more about your local area is key to understanding if your home’s water is affected.
Explore PFAS in the news in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania to stay up to date. You can also refer to your state website for more information.
PFAS in Maryland Drinking Water
The lawsuit claims, “The defendant’s normal, intended and foreseeable method of storing, using and disposing of AFFF products resulted in the discharge or release of PFAS directly into Prince George’s County environmental and infrastructure resources…”
In early 2024, Maryland banned the intentional addition of PFAS to most products, with some exemptions. More information on PFAS in Maryland can be found at Maryland.gov.
PFAS in Virginia’s Water
The Virginia Department of Health completed a limited study of PFAS and reported, “The study tested samples from 45 waterworks for 25 different types of PFAS, and PFAS were found in 15 of 63 samples.” This indicates that PFAS are present in drinking water from the Potomac River and Occoquan Reservoir. These are two major sources for waterworks in Northern Virginia.
You can access more information from the Virginia Department of Health on PFAS in drinking water.
PFAS in Pennsylvania Water Supplies
In 2021, it was reported that chemicals found in firefighting foam from the Emmaus Fire Department training facility in Pennsylvania leached into a water well system. Since then, Emmaus is set to receive $11.7 million in state funds to address water cleanup costs.
The Department of Environmental Protection provides a list by county of those affected by PFAS, along with the results of a Pennsylvania statewide sampling from 2021. To learn more about PFAS in Pennsylvania, visit their website.
What Actions Are We Taking To Address the Health Effects of PFAS?
People who drink or shower with water containing PFAS may have more health problems than those who don’t. Some studies indicate exposure may be linked to harmful health effects, according to the EPA.
In October 2021, the EPA released its PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The roadmap sets timelines for when the EPA intends to implement measures and pledges to adopt more ambitious policies to protect public health and the environment, and hold polluters accountable. Each action detailed in the PFAS Roadmap signifies a crucial and impactful step toward protecting communities from PFAS pollution.
Watch NBC News report (2021): Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are everywhere. The EPA has a new plan to crack down
What You Can Do To Protect Your Water From PFAS
PFAS will continue bleeding into our water sources. It’s important to find effective ways of removing them.
Many people ask, “Will boiling water remove PFAS?” Unfortunately, the answer is no. In fact, PFAS and boiling water are a bad combination. Boiling only serves to concentrate the chemicals, making the water even more dangerous to drink.
There are three effective ways to filter water to give you the peace of mind you’re looking for against PFAS:
1. Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water systems provide high-quality water for drinking and cooking. Reverse osmosis follows this process:
- Water goes through a carbon prefilter to remove sediment, chlorine taste and odor, and particulate matter.
- Then, water is forced at high pressure through a semipermeable membrane. The membrane catches a high percentage of dissolved solids and allows only clean water to flow through.
- The filtered water goes to a storage tank for later use.
- When you turn the RO faucet on, the water exits the storage tank and then goes through one more carbon filter (postfilter) to “polish” the water and provide an even higher level of quality and taste.
A drinking water system like the EcoWater HERO 385 RO system is a great option for reducing PFOA and PFOS.
2. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
Granular activated carbon (GAC) systems can remove synthetic and organic chemicals from water. During operation, water flows through the GAC filter, which reduces sediment, chlorine taste, and other contaminants.
The EcoWater ETF 2300 is just one great option we offer at Carroll Water for reducing PFAS. It’s also ideal for whole-house water filtration.
3. Anion Exchange
Anion exchange water softeners remove anions (negatively charged ions such as arsenic and nitrates). They work by exchanging these ions with potassium or sodium ions. These softeners can reduce or eliminate nitrates and PFAS and offer a long-term solution for such issues.
Check out some of our water conditioners!
How To Test for PFAS in Water?
To take action to remove impurities from your drinking water, reach out to us at Carroll Water. Contact us to request a free water test and discuss how best to address various contaminants. We can offer the best solutions to reduce and even eliminate PFAS.
How Do I Choose the Best Treatment Option for My Home?
Call us at Carroll Water to set up a free water analysis! We’re one of the oldest and most experienced full-service water treatment companies in the area. You can depend on us for expert service and superior results in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.